DEKALB — Northern Illinois University is planning a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house Saturday for its new athletics practice facility.

The celebration of the new Kenneth and Ellen Chessick Practice Center will be held before the NIU vs. Eastern Michigan football game. The ribbon-cutting will start at 11:30 a.m. and will be on the east side of the new facility.

There will be speeches by university officials and the lead donor, NIU alumnus Dr. Kenneth Chessick. A statue depicting three huskies will be unveiled.

The Chessick Center features a full-size 120-yard practice field with two end zones and buffer space around the field. It has batting cages, long jump pits and a four-lane sprint track.

University officials report that donations have reached the $9.5 million fundraising goal.